Please find our dedicated article about the latest Canton Fair 2023 on the link.
The Canton Fair is among top Chinese trade fairs, organized every year in the spring and autumn seasons. This has become a part of the country’s culture as the fair dates back to the spring of 1957 when it was first held in Guangzhou, China. Previously named The Chinese Export Commodities Fair, it was renamed as China Import and Export Fair in 2007. Today, it is also very commonly known as The Canton Fair, which is definitely the world’s largest trade show. It caters approximately 25,000 exhibitors who showcase their products at the fair. There are items, from every possible type of industry, arranged in a huge area of more than 1.2 million square meters. The Canton Fair 2018 will have so much to offer that you should not miss it.
There are many reasons why people chose to visit this trade show but the most prominent one includes identifying and meeting new suppliers, manufacturers, wholesalers. At the fair, you can also build and strengthen relationship with existing suppliers. Finally, you can visit to identify possible new opportunities for any other products. So this is one of the best trade shows to visit if you are sourcing and import from China.
Travelling to Canton Fair 2018, Guangzhou
The Canton fair is held every year in Guangzhou, also called Canton. The beautiful city is the capital and also the largest city of South China’s Guangdong province with its population over 11 million. It is on the Pearl River, at a convenient distance from north-northwest of Hong Kong and Macau. This makes it a great trading hub and allows impressive national transportation system. Guangzhou is China’s third largest city, ranked after Beijing and Shanghai. However, it is the largest one in South Central China.
Reaching Guangzhou for the Canton Fair 2018 is not difficult. International flights are definitely the most fitting way. Even if no direct flights to Guangzhou from your city are available – as most of the direct international flight tickets are already booked long before the trade fair starts, you can fly to Shanghai, Beijing or Hong Kong first. You can then take a 2-3 hour flight from both Beijing and Shanghai. If you wish to enter from Hong Kong, you will have the option to travel by train, bus, or by air. Don’t forget to book your flight ticket and also your hotel in time. It is difficult to find good hotels near Canton Fair complex even a few weeks before it starts.
Statistics of 122nd Canton Fair 2017, Autumn
122 Canton Fairs have been held so far and each one yielded expected results. The last Canton Fair was held between 15th October to 4th November 2017 on an exhibition area of over 1.185 million square meters at China Import and Export Fair Complex. It offered 60,466 different stands and gathered over 25,049 exhibitors from China and other locations. There were over 191,950 overseas buyers. The fair gathered export turnover of approximately US$ 30.16 billion, which definitely served as a major contribution to the expansion of foreign trade of the country.
The main sections included:
- Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances; Hardware & Tools; Machinery; Vehicles & Spare Parts; Building Materials; Lighting Equipment; Chemical Products; Energy Resources; International Pavilion
- Consumer Goods; Gifts; Home Decorations
- Textiles & Garments; Shoes; Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, Recreation Products; Medicines, Medical Devices, Health Products; and Food; International Pavilion
The numbers keep increasing each year. It is expected that the next Canton Fair, which is the 123rd China Import and Export Fair starting on 15th April 2018, will be bigger and better.
Canton Fair 2018 Spring Dates
The 123rd Canton Fair will be held at spring of 2018 at China Import and Export Fair Complex at No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou. Phase 1 will start on 15th April and continue until 19th April 2017. The next phase is a 5-day phase from 23rd April to 27th April and the final phase will begin on 1st May. Phase 3, as well as the 123rd Canton Fair will end on 5th May 2016.
Another Canton Fair will be held in autumn of 2018 at the same venue. The event will start on 15th October and continue till 4th November 2018.
Canton Fair 2018 Address, Pazhou Complex
Irrespective of where your hotel in Guangzhou is, the most comfortable way to go to the exhibition is by taking taxi. However, taxi drivers don’t speak English in China, so be prepared to save the following details on your mobile phone or print out the name and address of Canton Fair’s Venue in Chinese and show it to the taxi driver:
中国进出口商品交易会展馆,广州市海珠区阅江中路380号
No.380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex, Guangzhou
Also don’t forget to bring the business card of your hotel wherever you go. This makes communication with the taxi driver easier on the way back to your accommodation.
Exhibition Date and Sections of the 123rd Canton Fair
China Import and Export Fair is known for gathering multiple industries at the same place. At the fair, you will find products and sellers from all industries, everything from electronics to machinery to garments to chemicals. This includes thousands of international trade corporations, research institutions, manufacturing enterprises, foreign-owned companies and private companies.
Canton Fair 2018 Phase 1
Date: 15th – 19th April 2018 (Opening time: 9:30-18:00)
- Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances
- Lighting Equipment
- Vehicles & Spare Parts
- Machinery
- Hardware & Tools
- Energy Resources
- Chemical Products
- Building Materials
- International Pavilion
Canton Fair 2018 Phase 2
Date: 23th – 27th April 2018 (Opening time: 9:30-18:00)
- Consumer Goods
- Gifts
- Home Decorations
Canton Fair 2018 Phase 3
Date: 1st – 5th May 2018 (Opening time: 9:30-18:00)
- Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, and Recreation Products
- Medicines, Medical Devices and Health Products
- Food
- Shoes
- Textiles & Garments
- International Pavilion
Taking Part in Canton Fair is Profitable for Companies
China is a renowned location for international business and taking part in the Canton Fair can prove beneficial for any international businessmen. All companies are recommended to visit the fair.
As an exhibitor, this will be a great opportunity to expand client portfolio and develop relationship with existing clients via face-to-face interactions. It automatically enhances exposure in both domestic and overseas market. You will also be able to share latest branch-related developments and make strategies.
At the fair, you will be able to see various other companies and get inspiration. You will also get a good idea of competitors, their products and their strategies.
As a visitor you will have the chance to find potential new suppliers for your business and get new insights of the industry through your personal market research. It is also advantageous to check some products of the suppliers on the spot. You can compare them “in hand” and check the features of each product. You can also differentiate between a low budget, low quality producer and a professional manufacturer with high quality products.
The Canton Fair is a good opportunity to have your first discussion about the basic background information of the supplier, such as the history of the company, factory location and annual production volume, target markets and reference customers, etc. All of this information is essential in order to make company verification later. In case you are planning to check the factory in person, you can bring these notes with you to confirm the data with the management of the factory.
Other Interesting Facts for International Businesses
The Canton Fair is among the top 5 trade fairs in China and participation in this fair ought to enhance sales and improve company image. However, if you decide to attend the fair, go prepared. Do prior research and make the most out of this experience. Build relationships as the fair offers great networking opportunities. It is important that you know how to protect your intellectual property rights at the Canton Fair. As an exhibitor, you can use the fair as a platform to demonstrate your company’s latest innovations and also expand business internationally. For any international companies, regardless of whether they are exporting to China or buying anything from Chinese companies, it is highly recommended to make Chinese company verification before signing any contracts. As Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan cities, famous manufacturing bases of China, are quite close, it is also worth visiting some nearby factories, especially if the exhibitors offer this option to you in person at the fair.
Apart from business, the Canton Fair is about Guangzhou and local culture. So, do not forget to enjoy local sites, food and other fun activities. China has a broad range of things to offer, which you must experience when in the country.